dental plaque
1
3.0
- noun
- /ˈdɛntəl plæk/
- Specialized
:
placa dental
- Other biofilm-induced disease states include dental plaque and caries, catheter sepsis, bacterial endocarditis, and cystic fibrosis pneumonia.
Examples
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However, when left for an extended period on your teeth, dental plaque can release acids that can eventually weaken the tooth.
Blog text (15) -
Brushing and flossing are so simple to do and can easily prevent severe dental plaque from occurring.
Blog text (15) -
Water picks are also handy to remove inter-dental plaque.
Blog text (30) -
I spent two months writing a poem about his discovery of spermatozoa, the "animalcules" in dental plaque, and the finding, three hundred years later, of one of his desiccated corpuscles on a slice of elder pith.
Fiction book (1994) -
I highly advocate baking soda for brushing the teeth because any product that lowers the pH level of the mouth kills the germs that cause dental plaque and tooth decay, but be careful, it's abrasive and can potentially damage the teeth if you get wild with it.
Blog text (16) -
The dentist explained that dental plaque is a sticky film that builds up on your teeth and can lead to cavities if not removed.
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Regular dental check-ups can help monitor and treat any build-up of dental plaque before it causes serious issues.
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Using mouthwash can help reduce the amount of dental plaque that forms on your teeth over time.
Synonyms
2
6.5
A thin layer of tiny living things that stick together and to surfaces, making a slimy coat
Soft sticky film of bacteria on teeth that can cause tooth decay and gum disease if not removed
How Hardened
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines 'dental' (relating to teeth) with 'plaque' (a patch or deposit), so its meaning as a deposit/film on teeth that can cause decay is directly inferable from the constituents. This is a straightforward compositional pattern found across languages and medical vocabulary, so a B1 learner who knows both words would very likely understand the MWE.
Etymology
The term dental plaque paints a simple picture: plaque is a soft, sticky coat that clings to the teeth and traps germs and bits of food. That's why dental plaque means the soft, removable film on teeth that can lead to 'tooth decay' and 'gum disease'.